Emma Raducanu admitted she doesn’t really feel comfy on clay courts after her defeat on the Madrid Open.
The twenty fourth seed Marta Kostyuk defeated Raducanu within the second spherical 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.
Raducanu fought properly, particularly within the second set, however she was unable to earn her finest clay court docket victory thus far.
“I feel it’s constructive to get by and play two matches on the outside clay courts,” Raducanu stated after her loss.
“I’d say that it’s fairly noticeable to me that I don’t essentially really feel very comfy, however I feel that’s one thing that I can enhance on and work on.
“And it’s my second correct clay season and the primary one in three years.
“So I feel I’m simply attempting to present myself an opportunity to play as many factors as I can on it, and likewise [I need] time on the court docket coaching as properly.”
Regardless of an obvious arduous time on the court docket, the Brit was neck-tand-neck along with her opponent as the primary set was tied at 3-3.
However she then dropped her serve after two double faults, serving to the Ukrainian’s momentum.
Raducanu’s change in course and skill to slip into photographs was clearly hindered as Kostyuk managed the play.
The US Open winner improved within the second set, profitable 4 consecutive video games, however her movement halted within the deciding set.
“I discovered shifting actually tough,” stated Raducanu. “I felt like I used to be slipping round, but it surely was taking me a very long time to get out of the corners and after the function properly.
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“I’m not likely positive tips on how to enhance that, so I assume I’ll simply take that again and attempt to work on it within the subsequent week.”
It was Raducanu’s first match after her ‘bodily and psychological’ break after reaching the Miami Open quarter-finals in March.
Her win in opposition to Suzan Lamens on Wednesday was her first win on outside clay for practically three years.
Raducanu has endured a tumultuous profession following her US Open win in 2021 together with accidents, operations, stalkers and coach adjustments.
She continues to work with coach Mark Petchey on an off-the-cuff foundation. The 2 beforehand labored collectively in 2020 on the Nationwide Tennis Centre in London.
The 22-year-old could have extra aggressive observe on clay on the Italian Open, the ultimate WTA 1000 occasion earlier than the all-important French Open.
Tennis star Emma Raducanu races a Porsche across the Silverstone observe